EP 237 A Perfect Beginning to Your Novel

Sara Gentry is a Math Ph.D. turned Author Accelerator certified book coach for fiction, memoir, and nonfiction book writers. She uses her analytical and logical superpowers to help writers structure their ideas into a cohesive and compelling narrative that resonates with their audience. Sara is the host of KidLit Summer Camp and Novel Kickoff, and she is a member of the SCBWI, 12x12 Challenge, and WFWA writing communities. You can connect with Sara on her website (solutionsforwriters.com), and on Instagram, Threads, and Twitter @writewithsara. Bended Love is out!! https://books.katcaldwell.com/bended-loveGet the prequel, Bended Dream, here: https://books.katcaldwell.com/bended-prequel Like Substack? Find me at Lessons In Story. https://lessonsinstory.substack.comSign up for my writers' newsletter to learn more about the craft of writing, know when my workshops are and be the first to get exclusive information on my writing retreats. https://katcaldwell.com/writers-newsletterWant more information on my books, author swaps, short stories and what I’m reading? Sign up for my readers' newsletter. https://storylectory.katcaldwell.com/signup You can always ask me writing questions on instagram @katcaldwell_writing

As a Certified Author Accelerator Book Coach, Deborah can pass on what she has learned, to help you with your writing, whether you are: at the beginning, finding the shape of your story; trudging through the writing but stuck halfway through; deep in revision with a full manuscript; or ready to complete and publish your book. Deborah doesn't offer a prepackaged class that you never get through, but rather one-on-one support, helping you where you are at, giving you the tools you need to move forward.Instagram:  https://instagram.com/deborah_ann_lucas and Author FB page:   https://www.facebook.com/DeborahAnnLucas Sign up for Deborah's newsletter on her website: https://www.deborahannlucas.com/The books Deborah talked about are: Breeding Sweetgrass, Still Life At 80 and Half-Broke.Bended Love is out!! https://books.katcaldwell.com/bended-loveGet the prequel, Bended Dream, here: https://books.katcaldwell.com/bended-prequel Like Substack? Find me at Lessons In Story. https://lessonsinstory.substack.comSign up for my writers' newsletter to learn more about the craft of writing, know when my workshops are and be the first to get exclusive information on my writing retreats. https://katcaldwell.com/writers-newsletterWant more information on my books, author swaps, short stories and what I’m reading? Sign up for my readers' newsletter. https://storylectory.katcaldwell.com/signup You can always ask me writing questions on instagram @katcaldwell_writing 

This week I'm talking with Rebecca A. Dolence about writing scary stories for kids. Because it's almost Halloween! Come join the fun.Rebecca A. Dolence is a Certified Author Accelerator Book Coach, writer, and member of the SCBWI. Her passion lies in serving fiction writers who are serious about investing in their writing success. With a proven track record and personalized writing methods, Rebecca helps writers bring their stories out of their heads and onto paper with confidence and purpose.http://www.radnotesbookcoaching.com https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/sl/uqL0Uh7    (Creature of the Month Club)https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/sl/FyIyYDb      (Free Villain Origin Story Worksheet)Bended Love is out!! https://books.katcaldwell.com/bended-loveGet the prequel, Bended Dream, here: https://books.katcaldwell.com/bended-prequel Like Substack? Find me at Lessons In Story. https://lessonsinstory.substack.comSign up for my writers' newsletter to learn more about the craft of writing, know when my workshops are and be the first to get exclusive information on my writing retreats. https://katcaldwell.com/writers-newsletterWant more information on my books, author swaps, short stories and what I’m reading? Sign up for my readers' newsletter. https://storylectory.katcaldwell.com/signup You can always ask me writing questions on instagram @katcaldwell_writing 

Rejection comes with writing, unfortunately. This week I talked with Rhonda Douglas about rejection. We swapped stories in which we have experienced it, Rhonda tells us what it's like to be the one rejecting stories and poems (eek!) and then we talk about some different perspectives in order to get through rejection.To find out more about Rhonda go to: https://resilientwriters.com/about/For Rhonda's podcast go to: https://resilientwriters.com/podcast/Bended Love is out!! https://books.katcaldwell.com/bended-loveGet the prequel, Bended Dream, here: https://books.katcaldwell.com/bended-prequel Like Substack? Find me at Lessons In Story. https://lessonsinstory.substack.comSign up for my writers' newsletter to learn more about the craft of writing, know when my workshops are and be the first to get exclusive information on my writing retreats. https://katcaldwell.com/writers-newsletterWant more information on my books, author swaps, short stories and what I’m reading? Sign up for my readers' newsletter. https://storylectory.katcaldwell.com/signup You can always ask me writing questions on instagram @katcaldwell_writing 

I talk with Monica Hay today about something she helps writers with everyday: procrastination and perfectionism. Do you struggle with either of those? Me, too! Join us in today's talk!Find out more about Monica Hay and get into the Overcoming Resistance Bootcamp here (affiliate link): https://katcaldwell.com/monica-hayJoin me at the Escape the Plot Forest Summit: https://katcaldwell.com/forest-2024Do you want to be an ARC reader of BENDED LOVE? Click here: Click here: https://booksprout.co/reviewer/review-copy/view/181977/bended-loveBended Loyalty is out!! https://books.katcaldwell.com/loyaltyGet the prequel, Bended Dream, here: https://books.katcaldwell.com/bended-prequel Like Substack? Find me at Lessons In Story. https://lessonsinstory.substack.comSign up for my writers' newsletter to learn more about the craft of writing, know when my workshops are and be the first to get exclusive information on my writing retreats. https://katcaldwell.com/writers-newsletterWant more information on my books, author swaps, short stories and what I’m reading? Sign up for my readers' newsletter. https://storylectory.katcaldwell.com/signup You can always ask me writing questions on instagram @katcaldwell_writing 

My interview today is with debut novelist, Ben Hawken. We chat about creative energy, a life of finding creative outlets and, ultimately, how he took on book writing. You can find out more about Ben on his website at https://www.benhawken.com/You can buy Chandelier here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DFNXQSKZJoin me at the Escape the Plot Forest Summit: https://katcaldwell.com/forest-2024Do you want to be an ARC reader of BENDED LOVE? Click here: Click here: https://booksprout.co/reviewer/review-copy/view/181977/bended-loveBended Loyalty is out!! https://books.katcaldwell.com/loyaltyGet the prequel, Bended Dream, here: https://books.katcaldwell.com/bended-prequel Like Substack? Find me at Lessons In Story. https://lessonsinstory.substack.comSign up for my writers' newsletter to learn more about the craft of writing, know when my workshops are and be the first to get exclusive information on my writing retreats. https://katcaldwell.com/writers-newsletterWant more information on my books, author swaps, short stories and what I’m reading? Sign up for my readers' newsletter. https://storylectory.katcaldwell.com/signup You can always ask me writing questions on instagram @katcaldwell_writing 

Should we write backstory? Should we not? How much backstory should we include? Where and how should we include it?We tackle these questions today with three simple tips that will help you navigate backstory and make the decisions that are right for your story.PODCAST SUMMARYBended Loyalty is out!! https://books.katcaldwell.com/loyaltyWant to be an ARC for Bended Love? Click here: https://booksprout.co/reviewer/review-copy/view/181977/bended-loveGet the prequel, Bended Dream, here: https://books.katcaldwell.com/bended-prequel Like Substack? Find me at Lessons In Story. https://lessonsinstory.substack.comSign up for my writers' newsletter to learn more about the craft of writing, know when my workshops are and be the first to get exclusive information on my writing retreats. https://katcaldwell.com/writers-newsletterWant more information on my books, author swaps, short stories and what I’m reading? Sign up for my readers' newsletter. https://storylectory.katcaldwell.com/signup You can always ask me writing questions on instagram @katcaldwell_writing

Sarah Elisabeth Sawyer is an indie author who writes historical fiction that features authentic American Indian characters. Sign up for her newsletter here: https://www.subscribepage.com/sarahelisabethwritesAnd get signed up for the Dictation bootcamp (I will be there (this link is an affiliate)) here: https://www.fictioncourses.com/dictationbootcamp-kat Listen to my past interview with Sarah Elisabeth Sawyer here: https://link.chtbl.com/ep156-sawyerBended Loyalty is Published! https://books.katcaldwell.com/loyaltyGet Bended Dream FREE here: https://books.katcaldwell.com/bended-prequel Like Substack? Find me at Lessons In Story. https://lessonsinstory.substack.comSign up for my writers' newsletter to learn more about the craft of writing, know when my workshops are and be the first to get exclusive information on my writing retreats. https://katcaldwell.com/writers-newsletterWant more information on my books, author swaps, short stories and what I’m reading? Sign up for my readers' newsletter. https://storylectory.katcaldwell.com/signup You can always ask me writing questions on instagram @katcaldwell_writing 

The other day, I heard Mark Hurwitz say that "the beginning of the book (exposition is the literary term) is a bit like a social contract between the reader and the writer. This got me thinking about the different critique groups and contests that we have that focus solely on the beginning phrases of our books. Are they helpful? I’m of the opinion that they aren’t.So today we are going through a pile of books to see how the beginnings stand up to being social contracts between the writer and the reader.Books I read from today:Caraval by Stephanie GarberThe Violin Conspiracy by Brendan SlocumbThe Fault in Our Stars by John Green99 Percent Mine by Sally ThorneAnxious People by Fredrick BackmanShadow of the Dragon by Tom ClancyThe Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins ReidThe Tattooist of Auschwitz by Heather MorrisBended Loyalty is up for PREORDER! https://books.katcaldwell.com/loyaltyGet Bended Dream here: https://books.katcaldwell.com/bended-prequel Like Substack? Find me at Lessons In Story. https://lessonsinstory.substack.comSign up for my writers' newsletter to learn more about the craft of writing, know when my workshops are and be the first to get exclusive information on my writing retreats. https://katcaldwell.com/writers-newsletterWant more information on my books, author swaps, short stories and what I’m reading? Sign up for my readers' newsletter. https://storylectory.katcaldwell.com/signup You can always ask me writing questions on instagram @katcaldwell_writing 

Paulette Perhach’s writing has been published in the New York Times, Vox, Elle, The Washington Post, Slate, Cosmopolitan, Glamour, Marie Claire, Yoga Journal, McSweeney’s Internet Tendency, Hobart, and Vice. She’s the author of two million-reader viral essays.Her book, Welcome to the ​Writer's Life, was published in 2018 by Sasquatch Books, part of the Penguin Random House publishing family, and was selected as one of Poets & Writers' Best Books for Writers. She serves writers as a coach, helping them figure out how to make a life and career out of being a writer while making the money work (as she figures it all out herself.) She's also a speaker on the topics of creativity, writing, and business. ​Find her at thatwriterpaulette.comJoin her 3-month class Harnessing ADHD's Wild Horsepower here: https://www.pauletteperhach.com/harnessing-adhds-wild-horsepower________Bended Loyalty is up for PREORDER! https://books.katcaldwell.com/loyaltyGet Bended Dream here: https://books.katcaldwell.com/bended-prequel Like Substack? Find me at Lessons In Story. https://lessonsinstory.substack.comSign up for my writers' newsletter to learn more about the craft of writing, know when my workshops are and be the first to get exclusive information on my writing retreats. https://katcaldwell.com/writers-newsletterWant more information on my books, author swaps, short stories and what I’m reading? Sign up for my readers' newsletter. https://storylectory.katcaldwell.com/signup You can always ask me writing questions on instagram @katcaldwell_writing